Courtesy: Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota's 2022 Firearm Deer Hunting Opener is on Saturday, November 5.
Last year, Minnesota's 2021 Firearm Deer Hunting Opener on Saturday November 6 was another very warm across the state. Temperatures started in the 30s in the north and central and some 40s in the south. Afternoon temperatures warmed to the 60s across the state and it was dry.
Minnesota's 2020 Firearm Deer Hunting Opener on Saturday, November 7 was remarkably warm across the state. Temperatures remained well above freezing even in far northern Minnesota as hunters took their positions before sunrise, and low temperatures in central and southern Minnesota remained in the 50s--among the highest on record for any day in November. Temperatures during the day rose into the 50s F in the far north, but the 60s and 70s elsewhere. It was a warm, dry day across the state.
The normal high temperature for The first weekend in November ranges from the upper 30s across northern Minnesota to the upper 40s near the Iowa border. The average low temperature is in the 20s to low 30s (most hunters begin early, near the time of the daily low temperature).
The historical probability of receiving measurable precipitation for the first week of November is approximately 25%. Early November precipitation often falls as snow in the north, while rain is more likely in the south. An enduring, winter-long snow cover is typically not established until later in November, even in northern Minnesota.
We've had snowfall on the Firearm Deer Hunting Opener as recently as 2019, when a mild start gave way to falling temperatures and wintry conditions. Light snows fell throughout northern Minnesota, and by Sunday the 10th, many areas saw temperatures in the single digits or teens. The last significant snow during the Opener was in 2017 in far northern Minnesota, when International Falls recorded accumulations of six inches.
The conditions in 2016 were similar to those in 2020. That year, a warm morning greeted hunters, and temperatures rose into the high 60s and 70s across most of Minnesota during the day.
Temperatures and precipitation for International Falls, St. Cloud and Rochester for past Firearm Deer Hunting Openers
Past Weather for Firearm Deer Hunting Opener in International Falls Year Date Hi Lo Pre Snowfall -------------------------------- 2021 Nov 6 60 31 0 0 2020 Nov 7 53 37 0 0 2019 Nov 9 30 23 .03 .5 2018 Nov 3 39 22 0 0 2017 Nov 4 33 24 .60 6 2016 Nov 5 68 27 0 0 2015 Nov 7 41 29 T T 2014 Nov 8 33 21 T .3 2013 Nov 9 35 33 .09 .4 2012 Nov 3 38 16 0 0 2011 Nov 5 56 36 T 0 2010 Nov 6 55 26 .01 0 2009 Nov 7 56 28 0 0 2008 Nov 8 30 21 .03 .8 2007 Nov 3 47 26 0 0 2006 Nov 4 32 12 T T 2005 Nov 5 43 33 .14 0 2004 Nov 6 53 36 T 0 2003 Nov 4 25 22 .60 7.0 2002 Nov 9 41 34 0 0 (T = trace) Past Weather for Firearm Deer Hunting Opener in St. Cloud Year Date Hi Lo Pre Snowfall -------------------------------- 2021 Nov 6 67 37 0 0 2020 Nov 7 69 56 0 0 2019 Nov 9 39 22 .07 .3 2018 Nov 3 44 31 T 0 2017 Nov 4 36 30 .01 .3 2016 Nov 5 72 33 0 0 2015 Nov 7 50 29 0 0 2014 Nov 8 43 33 0 0 2013 Nov 9 41 36 T 0 2012 Nov 3 39 32 T T 2011 Nov 5 60 37 0 0 2010 Nov 6 58 30 0 0 2009 Nov 7 62 30 0 0 2008 Nov 8 35 27 T T 2007 Nov 3 51 24 0 0 2006 Nov 4 51 28 0 0 2005 Nov 5 47 31 .08 0 2004 Nov 6 63 32 0 0 2003 Nov 4 33 28 .29 3.8 2002 Nov 9 50 34 .02 0 (T = trace) Past Weather for Firearm Deer Hunting Opener in Rochester Year Date Hi Lo Pre Snowfall -------------------------------- 2021 Nov 6 67 39 0 0 2020 Nov 7 71 54 0 0 2019 Nov 9 39 20 T 0 2018 Nov 3 44 33 .21 T 2017 Nov 4 41 33 .13 T 2016 Nov 5 66 42 .05 0 2015 Nov 7 48 31 0 0 2014 Nov 8 43 34 0 0 2013 Nov 9 46 31 0 0 2012 Nov 3 47 37 .01 0 2011 Nov 5 55 38 0 0 2010 Nov 6 54 25 0 0 2009 Nov 7 67 42 0 0 2008 Nov 8 35 30 .04 .3 2007 Nov 3 52 28 T 0 2006 Nov 4 52 35 .05 T 2005 Nov 5 50 38 .04 0 2004 Nov 6 70 37 0 0 2003 Nov 4 37 31 .10 T 2002 Nov 9 56 37 0 0 (T = trace)